Workflow modeling with worklets and transitions

ABSTRACT

A computer is used to generate an approximation of a workflow in terms of worklets and transitions. Each worklet represents a phase of work in the workflow. Each transition indicates conditions for completion of a worklet. Each worklet includes at least one assistlet having executable code that will be executed for approximating of its work phase.

This is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. Ser. No. 11/158,037filed 21 Jun. 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,527,938 issued 3 Sep. 2013.

BACKGROUND

Traditional workflow management systems are suited for well definedactivities, such as manufacturing, where the processes tend to be moreestablished and stable. Such modeling typically requires a detailedunderstanding of the various processes

Sometimes, however, a detailed understanding of complex processes simplyisn't available during design time. Sometimes, processes are ad-hoc orill defined such that information needed during design time can only bedetermined during run time. Sometimes processes requirements are changedafter design time.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment herein, a method comprises using a computerto generate an approximation of a workflow in terms of worklets andtransitions. Each worklet represents a phase of work in the workflow.Each transition indicates conditions for completion of a worklet. Eachworklet includes at least one assistlet having executable code forapproximating performance of its work phase.

According to an embodiment herein, a computer comprises a workletexecution engine programmed to generate a model a workflow in terms ofworklets and transitions. Each worklet represents a phase of work in theworkflow. Each transition indicates conditions for completion of aworklet. Each worklet is assigned at least one assistlet havingexecutable code for approximating performance of a task in the workphase.

According to an embodiment herein, an article comprises non-transitorymachine-readable memory for causing a computer to function as a workletexecution engine that generates a model of a workflow in terms ofworklets and transitions. Each worklet represents a phase of work in theworkflow. Each transition indicates conditions for completion of aworklet. The worklet execution engine also assigns assistlets to theworklets. The assistlets have executable code for approximatingperformance of tasks in the work phases.

These features and functions can be achieved independently in variousembodiments or may be combined in yet other embodiments further detailsof which can be seen with reference to the following description anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a workflow model including worklets andtransitions.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a workflow model including, worklets,assistlets, and transition.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a dialogue box configured to edit aworklet.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer for performing workflow modelingwith worklets and transitions and also for executing workflow models.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a method for modeling a workflow in termsof worklets and transitions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is made to FIG. 5. At block 510, a computer is used to model aworkflow in terms of worklets and transitions. As used herein, a workletrepresents a phase of work in a workflow. Examples of work phasesperformed on a computing device include “retrieve email,” “prepare a newdocument according to a template,” “save the document,” etc. Eachworklet quantifies inputs, tasks, and outputs associated with its workphase. A task can be manual or automated. For example, a worklet mayquantify relevant work that is accomplished on a computing device. Theworklet may be associated with tools used by people to accomplish thework, input data, and artifacts or output data created by the computingdevice.

Each transition specifies one or more boundaries or conditions forcompletion of a worklet. For example, if a transition determines that aboundary condition is satisfied, the workflow will proceed to the nextworklet. Otherwise, if the boundary or condition is not met, theworkflow continues with the current worklet.

At block 520, for each worklet that is selected, the computer offers oneor more assistlets associated with the worklet. Each worklet is modeledby one or more assistlets. As used herein, an assistlet is executablecode (e.g., program, script, macro, services) for approximatingperformance of the work phase (e.g., runtime of tasks performed duringthe work phase, information used by the tasks during the work phase,outputs at the end of the work phase). An assistlet does not representthe actual flow of a task.

There may be different ways of modeling a worklet. That is, there may beseveral distinct and suitable sequences of assistlets that willaccomplish the phase of work represented by the worklet. This inherentlyallows flexibility in selecting alternative sequences.

There may be different types of assistlets. Two types includeapplication assistlets and system assistlets. System assistlet are usedto simulate system operations. Examples of system assistlets include,but are not limited to, rule engine, set state, publish, and subscribe.Application assistlets are built by a user with domain knowledge.Examples of application assistlets include, but are not limited to,filter, semantic query, sensor, email, and monitor.

Assistlets may have different states. States include, but are notlimited to, activated, not-activated, done, failed and suspended.

Assistlets may be implemented as web services. Web services areavailable software components (e.g., components available on theInternet) that provide certain services of general interest. Examplesinclude search services and link analysis services. For example, theworkflow associated with an analyst depends upon environmental factorssuch as the availability of databases and the content of information.The task associated with performing link analysis may be provided as aweb service.

At block 530, for each transition that is selected, the computer offersone or more options for specifying when a worklet has been completed.Options may be process-based, event-based, rule-based andcalendar-based. As examples, process-based options may be based on thecompletion of a work phase, calendar-based options may be based on aschedule, and rule-based options may be based on the state of certaindata.

At block 540, the workflow model is executed. As the assistlets of eachworklet are executed, the status of the system changes and differentoperations may be monitored in real time. Simulation of the workflowmodel may be used to determine information needs. It can identify partsof a system that need to be changed in order to satisfy informationneeds. The simulation can provide information such as expectedcompletion times and confidence based upon real-time system resources(processing and network). It enables a user to select the workflowappropriate to specific needs and constraints.

A particular worklet may be changed at run time. Say the worklet wasmodeled to use certain information at design time, but that informationis no longer needed at run time. The worklet may be changed by skippingspecific phases of work that utilized that's information.

At block 550, the workflow model may be updated. As more actualinformation about the workflow is learned, uncertain elements in theworkflow model may become better understood. Worklets may be replacedwith versions that better approximate their work phases. Sequences ofassistlets can be replaced with new sequences that better approximatethe work phases. Transitions can be modeled more accurately. Thisprovides more opportunity for adaptability since workflows herein arenot as rigid as conventional workflows.

Thus, the initial workflow model generated at blocks 510-530 may belittle more than a rough approximation. Over time, the workflow model isimproved at block 550 to better reflect the actual workflow.

Reference is made to FIG. 1, which illustrates an example of a workflowmodel 10 for publication of a document. The workflow is described interms of three phases: document creation, document review and documentrelease. The model 10 includes three corresponding worklets: a firstworklet 12 labeled “create document”; a second worklet 21 labeled“Review”; and a third worklet 30 labeled “Released.”

The workflow model 10 further includes a first transition 18 between thefirst and second worklets 12 and 21, and a second transition 27 betweenthe second and third worklets 21 and 30. Not shown is a thirdtransition, which may be used to terminate the third worklet 30, but itspresence may be presumed in the workflow model 10.

The first worklet 12 may be accomplished through a first sequence 15 ofassistlets. For example, the first sequence 15 of assistlets may includeoperator interactions such as supplying a password to allow access to aserver on the intermittent network link (not shown), and it may includetasks such as “insert CD ROM.”

The work phase associated with the first worklet 12 is not necessarilyaccomplished only by the first sequence 15 of assistlets. The work phasemay be accomplished by alternative sequences. For the example of FIG. 1,however, the first sequence 15 was provided as a choice and wasselected.

Referring to FIG. 2, a computer may be programmed with a workletexecution engine 210 for creating a workflow model 10 in terms ofworklets and transitions. For instance, the worklet execution engine 210enables a user to select the first worklet 12. The worklet executionengine 210 then places a first icon 12 a and a second icon 12 b to forman ordered pair. The worklet execution engine 210 then assigns asequence of assistlets that correspond to the first and second icons 12a and 12 b.

The worklet execution engine 210 then enables selection of the secondworklet 21. The worklet execution engine 210 then places a third icon 21a and a fourth icon 21 b to form an ordered pair. The worklet executionengine 210 then assigns a sequence of assistlets that correspond to thethird and fourth icons 21 a and 21 b.

The worklet execution engine 210 then enables selection of the thirdworklet 30. The worklet execution engine 210 then places a fifth icon 30a and a sixth icon 30 b to form an ordered pair. The worklet executionengine 210 then assigns a sequence of assistlets corresponding to thefifth and sixth icons 30 a and 30 b.

The assistlets may be selected from a library of assistlets. Forexample, a worklet corresponds to the work phase of “retrieving email”and its associated assistlets include a first assistlet configured todraw email from a first email address on a first server. A new assistletcan be configured from the first assistlet by changing the first emailaddress on the first server to a second email address on a secondserver.

The worklet execution engine 210 enables selection of the firsttransition object 18. The worklet execution engine 210 places a firsttransition icon 18 a between the first icon 12 a and the second icon 21a. Similarly, it places a second transition icon 27 a between the thirdicon 30 a and the second icon 21 a. The worklet execution engine 210then allows a user to specify conditions for the transition icons 18 aand 27 a.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates an example of adialogue box 310 generated by the worklet execution engine 210. Thedialogue box 310 enables a user to select one or more assistlets (oragents as used in FIG. 3) for a worklet. The worklet dialog box 310includes an opportunity to name a suitably modified assistlet in afill-in window 36, and to include a description in a description fill-inwindow 39. The worklet may be associated with various assistlets bymodifying an existing assistlet selected from a list of assistletsappearing in an assistlet window 42 a and suitable interaction with theworklet dialogue box 310.

Classes of assistlets may be defined according to an assistlet specialtythat occurs in the assistlet specialty window 45. For example, thedialogue box 310 of FIG. 3 further facilitates the programming of aworklet by filling in the specialty window 45 according to a specialtyselected from a drop-down list 45 a. To associate the worklet with aparticular user profile, a user name fill-in window 48 facilitates thecreation and exploitation of a user profile associated with a userdesignated in the user name fill-in window 48.

The worklet dialog box 310 further facilitates exploitation of therelationship between worklets and assistlets by including buttons, suchas an “add” button 51 a which when activated adds an assistlet asconfigured according to the windows 36, 39, 45, and 48 when a selectedworklet is highlighted in the assistlet window 42 a. A “modify” buttonallows editing of a worklet highlighted in the assistlet window 42 a. A“delete” button 51 c allows removal of a worklet highlighted in theassistlet window 42. Outdated worklets may be removed.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which illustrates a computer 100including a processor 99, computer-readable memory 102, and a videomonitor 405. The memory 102 stores data 410 that, when executed, causesthe processor 99 to function as the worklet execution engine. Theworklet execution engine may display a graphical user interface(including, but not limited to, the dialog box of FIG. 3) on the videomonitor 405 and receive user inputs for modeling a workflow in terms ofworklets and transitions.

The worklet execution engine may also store and access transitions,worklets and assistlets in a library 415. The library 415 may be local(as shown in FIG. 5) and/or remote. The library 415 enables a “commonground” environment such that relations between different workflowmodels are preserved as assistlets are developed. It also provides aframework for associating assistlets with suitable worklets, andcreating a sequence of assistlets that achieves a worklet.

The library 415 may contain specialized assistlets that are configurablein both a design time environment and in a run time environment. Anexample is a library of web services that perform certain tasks, such aschecking inventory.

The worklet execution engine may also provide a template baseddevelopment. Skeleton assistlet implementation may support commonassistlet operations and web service interfaces.

The data 410 may also cause the processor 99 to store one or moreworkflow models 420 in the memory 102. The worklet execution engine mayalso execute a workflow model 420.

The worklet execution engine may generate and display a dashboard 425 toreport observed execution of the workflow model during runtime. Theworklet execution engine may also control and observe the flow ofworklets as well as execute when a worklet is invoked.

Thus disclosed is workflow modeling that relaxes the need for detailsduring design time. Because modeling is performed in terms of workletstransitions, the modeling forces the separation of work practices fromwork processes. The worklets and the tasks they entail may be divorcedfrom implementation details. Modeling may be performed with less detailsand more uncertainty. This provides more opportunity for adaptabilitysince flows are not as rigid as conventional workflow systems.

The workflow modeling herein provides sufficient flexibility to copewith unexpected situations, failures and other dynamic situations.Changes to an original workflow model may be applied at runtime.Adaptive workflow is beneficial for the deployment of process that canquickly respond to changing conditions.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:generating an approximation of a workflow in terms of worklets andtransitions, each worklet representing a phase of work in the workflow,each transition indicating conditions for completion of a worklet, eachworklet including at least one assistlet having executable code forapproximating performance of its work phase; executing the assistlets;monitoring and determining information needs of the workflowapproximation; and identifying parts of the workflow that need to bechanged in order to satisfy the information needs.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the worklets and transitions are arranged in an orderedsequence.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each assistlet approximatesruntime of the work phase and determines information needed duringperformance of the work phase.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theassistlets include at least one of systems assistlets that simulatecomputer systems operations and applications assistlets that simulatecomputer applications.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisingproviding an interface that enables user-selection of the worklets andtransitions and that selects the assistlets for the selected worklets.6. The method of claim 5, wherein the interface is used to select theassistlets from a library.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein theinterface is used to modify the selected assistlets.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising generating libraries of the worklets,transitions, and assistlets.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theassistlets simulate at least one of operations and applications in acomputer system.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising updatingthe approximation with a version that better approximates the workflow.11. A computer comprising a worklet execution engine programmed to:generate a model of a workflow in terms of worklets and transitions,each worklet representing a phase of work in the workflow, eachtransition indicating conditions for completion of a worklet, eachworklet assigned at least one assistlet having executable code forapproximating performance of a task in the work phase; execute theassistlets; monitor and determine information needs of the tasks; andidentify parts of the workflow that need to be changed in order tosatisfy the information needs.
 12. The computer of claim 11, wherein theworklet execution engine is further programmed to provide an interfacethat enables user-selection of the worklets and transitions.
 13. Thecomputer of claim 12, wherein the worklet execution engine is furtherprogrammed to select the assistlets from a library.
 14. The computer ofclaim 11, wherein the worklet execution engine is further programmed toupdate the model with a version that better approximates the workflow.15. An article comprising non-transitory machine-readable memory forcausing a computer to function as a worklet execution engine thatgenerates a model of a workflow in terms of worklets and transitions,each worklet representing a phase of work in the workflow, eachtransition indicating conditions for completion of a worklet; assignsassistlets to the worklets, the assistlets having executable code forapproximating performance of tasks in the work phases; executes theassistlets; monitors and determines information needs of the tasks; andidentifies changes that need to be made to satisfy the informationneeds.
 16. The article of claim 15, wherein the worklet execution engineprovides an interface that enables user-selection of the worklets andtransitions.
 17. The article of claim 15, wherein the worklet executionengine selects the assistlets from a library.
 18. The article of claim15, wherein at least one of the assistlets approximates runtime of thework phase.
 19. The article of claim 15, wherein the worklet executionengine updates the model with a version that better approximates theworkflow.
 20. The article of claim 15, wherein the assistlets include atleast one of systems assistlets that simulate computer systemsoperations and applications assistlets that simulate computerapplications.